NSUF 14-469: Intercompound Formation and Radiation Responses of Diffusion Couples

The project is aimed to understand intercompound formation and radiation responses of diffusion couples made of deleted uranium (U) and various metals (Fe, Zr, Ni, Mo and Cr). First, a polished single crystal U is mechanical bonded with metals and form diffusion couples through thermal annealing in vacuum over a prolonged period, i.e. a few days, depending on kinetics of metal diffusion and regions of interest in phase diagrams. Second, part of the diffusion couples are irradiated by 2 MeV He ions. Third, microstructure and microchemistry of samples, with or without irradiation, are compared, by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), focused-ion beam (FIB), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The project expects to have the following significant impact: (1) it will provide validation on phase diagram and phase field theories concerning uranium: (2) it will reveal radiation induced structural changes of different phases; (3) it will accelerate our understanding of fuel-cladding interactions; (4) it will help to separate effects from grain boundaries for understanding materials’ intrinsic properties, since single crystals are used for fabrications of diffusion couples. Sample fabrications and ion irradiations will be performed at the Texas A&M University. The FIB will be used to prepare specimens at CAES by the student and atomic scale characterization will be performed by the Idaho National Laboratory team. The project involves three investigators and one graduate student. The expected period of performance is Jan. to Feb. of 2014.

Tilleggsinformasjon

Felt Verdi
Awarded Institution Texas A&M University
Embargo End Date 2026-02-27
Facility Tech Lead Mukesh Bachhav
NSUF Call FY 2014 RTE 1st Call
PI Lin Shao
Project Member Professor Lin Shao, Professor - Texas A&M University (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5703-1153)
Project Member Bulent Sencer - Idaho National Laboratory
Project Member Dr. Tianyi Chen, Assistant Professor - Oregon State University (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2880-824X)
Project Member Dr. Rory Kennedy, Director, Glenn T. Seaborg Institute (GTSI) - Idaho National Laborator)
Project Type RTE
Publication Intermetallic formation and interdiffusion in diffusion couples made of uranium and single crystal ion Tianyi Chen, Bulent Sencer, Lin Shao, Rory Kennedy Journal of Nuclear Materials 467 2015-12-01 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022311515300167#ack0010
Publication Diffusional Interaction between U-10wt.%Zr and Fe at 903 K, 923 K, and 953 K (630 C, 650 C, and 680 C) Young Joo Park, Bulent Sencer, Rory Kennedy, Yongho Sohn Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A 46 2014-03-01 http://www.researchgate.net/publication/262951070_Diffusional_Interaction_Between_U-10_wt_pct_Zr_and_Fe_at_903_K_923_K_and_953_K_%28630_C_650_C_and_680_C%29
RTE Number 469